Man charged with animal cruelty

26 dogs and cats seized by Toledo Area Humane Society last week

4/18/2014

BLADE STAFF

The former owner of 26 dogs and cats seized by the Toledo Area Humane Society last week has been charged with animal cruelty.

Michael Suiter, 51, whom Toledo Municipal Court records indicate is living at 165 Oak St. in Rossford, is facing a second-degree misdemeanor count after 19 dogs and seven cats were removed from his property in the 2200 block of Portsmouth Avenue in Toledo on April 11. The humane society had been reporting that six cats were among the mix, but a seventh was found.

Mr. Suiter surrendered ownership of them to the humane society and a few are already up for adoption. Others remain at the shelter and some are going into foster care.

Humane society officials said the animals were living in unsanitary conditions with feces, urine, and piles of pet food on the floors. They were in good physical condition other than some minor injuries, but many were unsocialized. Three female cats were pregnant, and one gave birth at the shelter to six kittens Tuesday.

Gene Boros, the animal cruelty investigator handling the case, said Mr. Suiter indicated he had intended to begin rescuing animals, but the first ones he took in were not spayed or neutered and subsequently bred. Their offspring also were not altered and the situation got worse.

He could have been charged with a count for each animal seized, however, Mr. Boros said he decided to file just the one charge because Mr. Suiter cooperated with the humane society and did not appear likely to be a repeat offender.

“It’s basically just to get something on his record so if it happens again, the penalties will be more severe,” Mr. Boros said. “It’s a deterrent.”

Mr. Suiter is scheduled for arraignment at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

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